Upson County, Georgia: USDA programs and conservation funding

216
Farms & Ranches
36K
Acres in Agriculture
167
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.5M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Goats, Honey
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Upson County, Georgia has 216 farms working 36,027 agricultural acres (average 167 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Upson County

Upson County lies in the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 690 feet.

Upson County averages 50.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 63.1°F.

Upson County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and goats. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 216 farms working 36,027 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 2,003 head.


Quick Facts

RegionWest Central Georgia
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Berries, Horses

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 27+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Upson County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

231 Highway 41 N, Barnesville, GA 30204

(770) 358-0787

Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.

What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.


Programs for Upson County Operations

Based on Upson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

EQIP supports pasture improvement and forest management practices on rolling piedmont terrain. Beginning farmer programs assist new operators with diverse agricultural enterprises.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.


Local Conservation Priorities

Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.

How to find your county's priorities:

  • Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
  • Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
  • Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria

Counties Bordering Upson County

Upson County shares borders with Crawford County, Georgia, Lamar County, Georgia, Meriwether County, Georgia, Monroe County, Georgia, Pike County, Georgia, and Talbot County, Georgia. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Upson County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Georgia guide: Georgia Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.82
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Upson County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.